Vet Technician Training Program
How to Select the Right One Near Calabasas California

Finding a veterinary technician school near Calabasas CA to fulfill your lifelong goal to help and provide medical treatment for our pets might from the start seem like an enormous task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. After they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the Calabasas CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Calabasas CA labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered

An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Calabasas CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Calabasas CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Calabasas CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Calabasas CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Calabasas CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Calabasas CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Calabasas CA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Calabasas CA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Calabasas CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Calabasas

Enroll in the Right Calabasas Veterinary Technologist School

Choosing the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Calabasas California.

 

Calabasas Veterinary Technician Schools | Calabasas Online Vet Tech Programs